If you’re an aquarist looking for elegance, rarity, and stunning beauty in a small freshwater fish, the Moscow Black Guppy is a top choice. Belonging to the famous Moscow strain of guppies, this variety is admired for its solid, jet-black coloration that covers the entire body and fins.

Unlike the common guppies with mixed colors and patterns, Moscow Black Guppies stand out with their velvety black appearance, making them an excellent choice for both aquascaping enthusiasts and guppy breeders. Their dramatic look, combined with their hardiness, peaceful temperament, and ease of breeding, has made them a prized addition to aquariums around the world.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything about Moscow Black Guppies—their origins, care requirements, diet, breeding, aquascaping potential, and health tips. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced fishkeeper, this article will give you everything you need to know about this fascinating guppy strain.

Origins of the Moscow Black Guppy

The Moscow line of guppies was first developed in Russia in the 1980s through selective breeding. Breeders worked to create guppies with solid body colors, unlike the typical wild guppy’s patterned look.

The Moscow Black Guppy is a result of further refinement within this strain. Its jet-black coloration is the outcome of careful breeding to enhance melanin expression throughout the body and fins. This unique look made the Moscow Black Guppy popular in Asia, Europe, and later in North America, where hobbyists quickly recognized its value as a collector’s guppy.

Appearance of Moscow Black Guppy

The Moscow Black Guppy is considered one of the most striking guppy strains because of its deep, uniform coloration.

• Body Color: Rich, solid black that can appear glossy under aquarium lighting.
• Fins: Flowing fins that are equally dark, sometimes with subtle metallic undertones.
• Size: Males usually reach 1.5–2 inches, while females grow larger at 2–2.5 inches.
• Sexual Dimorphism:
  • Males: Slimmer, smaller, with vibrant solid black coloration.
  • Females: Larger, bulkier, with less intense coloration, sometimes appearing dark gray to black.
• Unique Trait: Their all-black aesthetic makes them stand out in both planted and minimalist aquariums.

Ideal Tank Setup for Moscow Black Guppies

Tank Size

• Minimum: 10 gallons for a small group.
• Recommended: 20–30 gallons if you plan on keeping a colony or breeding them.

Water Parameters

Moscow Black Guppies are hardy but thrive best in stable, tropical conditions:

• Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)
• pH: 6.8–7.8
• Hardness: 8–12 dGH
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: Below 20 ppm

Filtration

• A sponge filter or gentle hang-on-back filter works best.
• Avoid overly strong currents, as guppies prefer calmer waters.

Substrate and Decor

• Substrate: Dark sand or fine gravel enhances their black coloration.
• Plants: Java moss, Anubias, and Vallisneria provide natural shelter.
• Decor: Rocks, driftwood, and caves give hiding places and add visual contrast.

Diet and Feeding

Moscow Black Guppies are omnivorous and thrive on a balanced diet.

Food Options

1. Staple Foods: High-quality guppy flakes or micro pellets.
2. Protein Sources: Brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, mosquito larvae.
3. Vegetables: Spirulina, blanched spinach, cucumber, and zucchini.

Feeding Guidelines

• Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions.
• Ensure they eat within 2 minutes to prevent water pollution.
• Rotate food types to boost immunity and enhance coloration.

Behavior and Temperament

• Peaceful and Social: They rarely display aggression.
• Schooling Preference: Enjoy living in groups of 5–6 or more.
• Community Tank Friendly: Compatible with mollies, platies, tetras, rasboras, and corydoras.
• Avoid: Aggressive species or fin-nippers such as tiger barbs.

Breeding Moscow Black Guppies

Moscow Black Guppies are livebearers, meaning they give birth to fully formed fry.

Breeding Tank Setup

• A 10–15 gallon breeding tank works well.
• Provide dense plants or breeding grass for fry protection.

Breeding Process

• Maintain a ratio of 1 male to 2–3 females.
• Gestation Period: 21–30 days.
• Females develop a gravid spot near the anal fin when pregnant.

Fry Care

• Separate fry from adults to prevent predation.
• Feed fry with infusoria, baby brine shrimp, and finely crushed flakes.
• Ensure frequent small water changes for growth and survival.

Health and Disease Prevention

Common Diseases

1. Ich (White Spot Disease): Small white spots on body and fins.
2. Fin Rot: Caused by bacteria, fins appear ragged.
3. Velvet Disease: Golden dust-like coating.
4. Dropsy: Severe bloating due to organ failure.

Prevention Tips

• Maintain clean water conditions with weekly 25–30% water changes.
• Quarantine new fish for at least 2 weeks.
• Avoid overfeeding to prevent water pollution.
• Provide a varied, vitamin-rich diet.

Moscow Black Guppy in Aquascaping

These guppies are often chosen for show aquariums and aquascaping projects because of their bold coloration.

Why They’re Ideal

• Their deep black body creates dramatic contrast in green aquascapes.
• They serve as centerpiece fish in both planted and minimalist setups.
• They enhance the beauty of community aquariums with their graceful swimming.

Aquascaping Styles

1. Nature Aquascape: Dense plants and driftwood create a natural look.
2. Minimalist Aquascape: A dark substrate with rocks makes their black color pop.
3. Community Tank: Combine with peaceful species for a balanced look.

Lighting

• Use soft, full-spectrum LED lighting.
• Avoid overly intense lights that may cause algae growth.

Advantages of Moscow Black Guppy

1. Unique Appearance: Solid black coloration makes them rare and stunning.
2. Hardy and Adaptable: Tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
3. Breeding Potential: Easy to breed and produce large numbers of fry.
4. Community Compatibility: Peaceful with other small species.
5. Collector’s Fish: Sought-after strain among guppy breeders.

Challenges of Keeping Moscow Black Guppy

1. Overpopulation: They breed quickly and may overcrowd tanks.
2. Fin Damage: Long fins attract fin-nipping species.
3. Health Issues: Sensitive to poor water quality.
4. Maintaining Strain Purity: Selective breeding is required to keep their deep black coloration.

Moscow Black Guppy vs Other Moscow Strains

Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Success

• Perform weekly water changes (25–30%).
• Use live plants for oxygenation and fry shelter.
• Provide nutrient-rich foods for better coloration.
• Manage population growth by separating males and females when necessary.
• Regularly observe fish for early signs of disease.

Conclusion

The Moscow Black Guppy is an extraordinary guppy variety known for its solid black coloration, peaceful temperament, and adaptability. Whether you’re an aquascaping enthusiast or a guppy breeder, this fish offers beauty and charm unlike any other guppy strain.

With proper care, nutrition, and tank setup, Moscow Black Guppies can live 2–3 years and provide endless enjoyment. Their rarity and stunning looks make them a true gem for collectors and hobbyists alike.

FAQs About Moscow Black Guppy

Q1. How long do Moscow Black Guppies live?
They live 2–3 years with good care.

Q2. Do Moscow Black Guppies need a heater?
Yes, they require tropical temperatures of 74–82°F.

Q3. How can I enhance their black coloration?
Provide a high-quality diet, avoid stress, and use a dark substrate and background.

Q4. Are Moscow Black Guppies rare?
Yes, they are rarer compared to other Moscow strains, making them highly prized.

Q5. Can Moscow Black Guppies live in a community tank?
Yes, they are peaceful and compatible with many small fish.

Q6. How often should I feed them?
Feed 2–3 times daily in small amounts.

Q7. How many fry can Moscow Black Guppies produce?
Females can give birth to 20–40 fry every 4–6 weeks.

Q8. Do they require live plants?
Not mandatory, but live plants improve water quality and fry survival.

Q9. Can they live in nano tanks?
A 5-gallon tank can house a pair, but 10–20 gallons is recommended for groups.

Q10. Are Moscow Black Guppies expensive?
Yes, prices range between $8–20 per fish, depending on quality and availability.